The Exaltation of the Cross The Way of the Day Week 2 - Thursday The Exaltation of the Cross

The Exaltation of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, The Sign of the Cross In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

The Church celebrates The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, every year on 14th September. It's easy to understand that the Cross is special because Christ used it as the instrument of our salvation. But after His Resurrection, why would Christians continue to look to the Cross?

Christ Himself offered us the answer: "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me" (Luke 9:23). The point of taking up our own cross is not simply self-sacrifice; in doing so, we unite ourselves to the sacrifice of Christ on His Cross.

For Christians, the Cross of Jesus is the crossroads of history and the Tree of Life. Christianity without the Cross is meaningless: Only by uniting ourselves to Christ's Sacrifice on the Cross can we enter into eternal life.

Prayer Jesus, your love for your Father brought you to the cross. We are gathered before this magnificent symbol of our faith to recall the events of Calvary and to thank you for your great sacrifice.

Our Lady Queen of Peace, pray for us We turn to Mary, Mother of Jesus, asking her to pray for us:Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of death. Amen. Our Lady Queen of Peace, pray for us St Joseph, pray for us.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, The Sign of the Cross In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen